LJ etc

[tadorna]

So I've been seeing various reports that LJ is censoring various search terms from the 'most popular interests page', including the following: Sex, Boys, Guys, Girls, Fanfiction, Yaoi, Hardcore, Porn, Bondage, Faeries, Pain, Depression, and Bisexuality.

Obviously this, if true, is a valid cause for concern -- particularly for someone who writes Christopher Biggins slash. It's also pretty damn weird, if you ask me, but then I write Christopher Biggins slash, so it's probably best you don't ask me. So, anyway, I just went and looked at the most popular interests page to check it out. But all those search terms appear now to be included.

Were they gone at some point? Did they get put back? Or am I missing something (always a distinct possibility!)

Anyway, I just thought peeps might like to know, as I haven't seen this particular development (if it is a development) mentioned anywhere else yet.

Comments

[clara-posts.livejournal.com]

I have no idea what's going on either. But then I've been traipsing round Scotland and generally not paying much attention to anything. It seems like one person posted something and then the Chinese Whispers started and now it's the end of the world as we know it. Well, I definitely feel fine. And I'm posting more times than ever today which says something about me... probably something including the word apathy as several posts have told me. It's to do with the free accounts thing being got rid off thing too (I'm not sure that's good grammar) but then, as someone pointed out today, it wasn't so long ago you had to have an invite to join so it's not unprecedented. Ho hum. I'm rambling. And sort of carrying on as normal. These things have a comfortable habit of just blowing over, ya know?

[sheldrake.livejournal.com]

I am jealous of your Scottish traipsing, yes I am!

Well, I just thought it might be best to check things out before doing anything drastic, which is why I went to have a look at that there interests page.

To be perfectly honest I'm under no illusions about LJ -- why yes, they are indeed only after our money! And we are surprised why? And while of course I understand people's concerns about fanfiction and freedom of expression, I am very uncomfortable indeed when people start referencing Hitler and the holocaust. I mean... seriously? It makes me ashamed, to be perfectly honest. And annoyed.

Accusations of homophobia, on the other hand -- yeah, slightly different kettle of fish. Investigation is called for. I'd certainly like to know what the hell that was actually about! We know LJ can be sneaky and handle stuff badly. But I just... don't think I can get that worked up so far. And I am quite easily worked up! :)

Oops. Accidental mini-rant.

[yellow-oranges.livejournal.com]

Faeries?! What are they getting up to?

[sheldrake.livejournal.com]

Yeah, sneaky buggers, faeries!

The general thrust of the accusation was that there is a trend of homophobia, with the general sex-related stuff (Sex, Boys, Guys, Girls, Hardcore, Porn, Bondage, Pain) and then adding in Bisexuality and Yaoi (and Fanfiction, I suppose). So it was suggested that 'Faeries' might relate to that. In which case, though, why the odd spelling? I know it's a bit picky but I genuinely wouldn't associate that spelling with a derogatory term for gay.

But then again, maybe it was a mistake (they just went 'ew! faeries = gay', or they were just playing safe and removed it anyway.

It's certainly a bit odd. But I'd like to know a bit more before I jump to any conclusions.

(As a depressive, of course, I am totally in favour of burning down the LJ/SUP offices as soon as possible.)

[justwolf.livejournal.com]

I think the interests thing has something to do with how there were lists of Top Interests (given to companies? or displayed to new users?) and from these lists, these interests even though they're Top Interests, were removed. Or so I read but I don't fully understand the intricacies of the issue.

I still want to stay firmly off any kind of high horse and hope it all blows over. But that's probably because I have no morals.

Why do these people with frowned-upon-interests spell "fairies" wrong?

You keep talking about the Christopher Biggins slash, but I have yet to see any evidence! I'm impatient. Want. Want.

[sheldrake.livejournal.com]

Ah, ok... possibly I need to reread the reports and that, although actually I am far too lazy to do this.

Ah, morals are overrated, you know. I hear that the concept of the moral is being replaced later this year anyway. By coral. And possibly sorrel. And maybe even half-rhymes like horror and sorrow.

Why do these people with frowned-upon-interests spell "fairies" wrong?

That's why they're being frowned upon. Quite right too!

Oh, all right, I'll post the fic. Soon! Maybe even in a minute.

[justwolf.livejournal.com]

I know. I couldn't be bothered to read it properly, which is why my attempt at explaining is so vague.

I approve of morals being replaced by coral and sorrels. Both of those things are nice to have around. The half-rhymes, though, those might be taking it a bit far.

Yayyy! *Waits impatiently*

[sheldrake.livejournal.com]

Weeell, to be honest, I wasn't that wedded to horror and sorrow. I shall suggest losing them at the next meeting of the Moral Replacement Society.

[justwolf.livejournal.com]

The Moral Replacement Society, I'm sure, needs and values your firm stand in these matters. :)

[sheldrake.livejournal.com]

I hope not! Firm stands are the next on the list to be replaced.

Aha... firm stand. That sounds rude. Meheheh...

Now please bear with my while I attempt to post this abomination. (Might take a while, they both talk in italics loads).

[justwolf.livejournal.com]

Firm stands replaced with clean hands perhaps? Or new glands? Or white sands?

Either way, I'm fully support this society.

*Waits* :)

[sheldrake.livejournal.com]

Rubber bands and distant lands have both been mooted.

[mirabile-dictu.livejournal.com]

They were gone, but they were just added back in, apparently due to all the hoo-hah though there is no official word.

For details about the removal of these interests, see Stewardess (http://stewardess.insanejournal.com) over on IJ; she has several posts, some with documentation.

For the first news I've seen of their return, see rm's post (http://rm.livejournal.com/1312151.html); she links to the announcement of the code that returns them -- though the coder who posted carefully refused to comment.

It is all very very weird, but it definitely happened.

[sheldrake.livejournal.com]

Aha! Well I wondered whether that might have been the case. Good for the hoo-hah, then, if so! Thanks for the links, too.

It's really most odd -- I'd very much like to know what it was all about!

[lobelia321.livejournal.com]

Hah.

I looked a few days ago and all of these terms were GONE. The list of interests looked about as inviting as a yawning toilet bowl. But you're right! They're all back!

I tell you what it is. 96,000 people suddenly and convulsively discovered fanfiction over the weekend and all added it to their interests.

My god, has this been reported in the national media?

I note that 'Christopher Biggins' doesn't appear in the top 100. CENSORSHIP!!

Also, why so few interests in Cyrillic? Given the demographics??

[sheldrake.livejournal.com]

I note that 'Christopher Biggins' doesn't appear in the top 100. CENSORSHIP!!

OMG!!! Right, that's it, I'm leaving LJ RIGHT NOW!

It is all very very weird, but it definitely happened.

[purple-hazed.livejournal.com]

Honestly, all this censorship is rediculous - i have nothing to hide!! except christopher biggins lust lol lol!!